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Professors often give members of a group project the same grade or they use peer evaluations to provide individualized grades. Unfortunately, both these methods have shortcomings. This article describes the segment manager method (SMM), a method for assigning individualized grades on the group project that does not rely on peer evaluations. A quasi-experiment is described where marketing research students are graded in groups either with peer evaluations (the control group) or with the SMM (the treatment group). Students participating in the quasi-experiment were more likely to prefer the SMM over the approach that uses peer evaluations. Moreover, when the SMM is compared with the peer evaluations approach, the SMM appears to be more likely to generate individualized grades on the group project that reflect each student's academic ability, to deter social loafing, to increase scores on the group project, and to increase scores on an exam that is heavily loaded with project material. Recommendations for future users of the SMM are offered. (Contains 3 notes, 1 exhibit and 5 tables.)

This study compares student evaluations of faculty teaching that were completed in-class with those collected online. The two methods of evaluation were compared on response rates and on evaluation scores. In addition, this study investigates whether treatments or incentives can affect the response to online evaluations. It was found that the response rate to the online survey was generally lower than that to the in-class survey. When a grade incentive was used to encourage response to the online survey, a response rate was achieved that was comparable with that to the in-class survey. Additionally, the study found that online evaluations do not produce significantly different mean evaluation scores than traditional in-class evaluations, even when different incentives are offered to students who are asked to complete online evaluations. (Contains 4 tables.)

Peterson, C.D.; Kingen, K.E.P.; Erlandson, J.M.; Kaijankoski, P.; Meyer, J., and Ryan, C., 2019. Widespread evidence of terminated marine transgressive sand supply and failing longshore sand transport to eroding coastal eolian sand ramps during the latest Holocene time in Oregon and California (Pacific Coast, USA). Journal of Coastal Research, 35(6), 1145–1163. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. Holocene perched dunes and wave-truncated sand ramps were used to project paleoramp geometries and to estimate sand ramp erosion during the late Holocene in the U.S. Pacific Coast study area (1500 km in length). Both recently accreted sand ramp slopes (n = 24) and wave-truncated sand ramps (n = 59) in 11 sand ramp complexes (0.3–11.4 km in alongshore length) were profiled from areas of previously abundant dune sand supply. Modern sand ramp slopes (shore normal) ranged from 2 to 26°, with slope steepening resulting from upslope eolian deflation (10–20°) and downslope mass wasting by landslide (>20°). Paleoramp surface slopes at 10, 15, and 20° were projected seaward from truncated sand ramp tops (11–97 m in elevation) to intersect with projected basal ramp horizons (4-m elevation). Differences between the 10° slope paleoramps and the corresponding modern sea cliffs yield eroded ramp cross-sectional areas (78–16,770 m2). The eroded cross-sectional areas were multiplied by corresponding alongshore lengths to estimate truncated ramp complex erosion (1.29 × 105–6.41 × 107 m3, mean 12.62 × 106 m3). Modern beach sand volumes in shorelines fronting the 11 truncated ramp complexes are estimated to range from 1.05 × 105 to 1.47 × 106 m3. The average modern beach sand volume of 4.25 × 105 m3 represents only 3.4% of the average eroded ramp complex volume, as estimated from differencing the 10° projected slopes and the modern sea cliff profiles. Near-surface 14C ages of buried archaeological materials in the 11 truncated ramp complexes (932 ± 672 cal BP 1σ, n = 20) demonstrate terminal ramp accretion and associated ramp truncation by beach retreat during the latest Holocene time. The widespread sand ramp erosion, following 3.0 m of sea-level rise during the last 3.0 ka, serves as a warning for the U.S. Pacific Coast and other high–wave energy cliff-backed shorelines for potential beach response to near-future sea-level rise (1–3 m) predicted to occur from ongoing global warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The authors sought to assess associations among early-life exposure to adversity, the development and maturation of neurons and brain circuits, and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Specifically, they examined whether fetal exposure to placental corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), a molecule conveying maternal signals to the fetus, predicts brain growth and neuropsychiatric outcomes in school-age children.Method: In a large, well-characterized prospective cohort, concentrations of placental CRH (pCRH) in maternal plasma were determined during five intervals during gestation. When the children reached school age, their brain structures were examined using MRI, and emotional and cognitive tests assessing internalizing and externalizing behaviors and attention were administered (N=97, 49 of them girls).Results: Levels of pCRH during gestation predicted structural and functional brain outcomes in children. Specifically, fetal exposure to elevated pCRH levels was associated with thinning of selective cortical regions and with commensurate cognitive and emotional deficits. The relations among fetal exposure to pCRH, cortical thinning, and childhood function were sex specific.Conclusions: In view of the established effects of CRH on maturation and arborization of cortical neurons, and the major contribution of dendrites to cortical volume, these findings position pCRH as an important mediator of the consequences of early-life adversity on neuropsychiatric outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Beryllium-7 is a powerful and commonly used tracer for environmental processes such as watershed sediment provenance, soil erosion, fluvial and nearshore sediment cycling, and atmospheric fallout. However, few studies have quantified temporal or spatial variability of 7Be accumulation from atmospheric fallout, and parameters that would better define the uses and limitations of this geochemical tracer. We investigated the abundance and variability of 7Be in atmospheric deposition in both rain events and dry periods, and in stream surface-water samples collected over a ten-month interval at sites near northern Monterey Bay (37°N, 122°W) on the central California coast, a region characterized by a rainy winters, dry summers, and small mountainous streams with flashy hydrology. The range of 7Be activity in rainwater samples from the main sampling site was 1.3–4.4 Bq L−1, with a mean (±standard deviation) of 2.2 ± 0.9 Bq L−1, and a volume-weighted average of 2.0 Bq L−1. The range of wet atmospheric deposition was 18–188 Bq m−2 per rain event, with a mean of 72 ± 53 Bq m−2. Dry deposition fluxes of 7Be ranged from less than 0.01 up to 0.45 Bq m−2 d−1, with an estimated dry season deposition of 7 Bq m−2 month−1. Annualized 7Be atmospheric deposition was approximately 1900 Bq m−2 yr−1, with most deposition via rainwater (>95%) and little via dry deposition. Overall, these activities and deposition fluxes are similar to values found in other coastal locations with comparable latitude and Mediterranean-type climate. Particulate 7Be values in the surface water of the San Lorenzo River in Santa Cruz, California, ranged from <0.01 Bq g−1 to 0.6 Bq g−1, with a median activity of 0.26 Bq g−1. A large storm event in January 2010 characterized by prolonged flooding resulted in the entrainment of 7Be-depleted sediment, presumably from substantial erosion in the watershed. There were too few particulate 7Be data over the storm to accurately model a 7Be load, but the results suggest enhanced watershed export of 7Be from small, mountainous river systems compared to other watershed types. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Political actors typically use language with the goal of persuading an audience. But what shapes the use of language in political settings? Is it differences between ideologues — liberals and conservatives — that change language use? Or is it support or opposition to the issue? Using techniques adapted from cognitive psychology we examine arguments used in ballot proposition elections and show them to exhibit systematic patterns in line with the theoretical arguments of Riker (1996). The actor’s choice of issue position — for or against — can be seen to imply that the arguments they advance in support of their position are constrained. More specifically, we show that arguments in support of propositions are consistently similar to each other and consistently dissimilar from arguments against a proposal in language use. These patterns of similarity and dissimilarity persist across a wide range of issues and actors. Identification of these patterns helps explain a persistent empirical regularity within ballot proposition politics: the advantage held by “NO” campaigns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Two high-resolution bathymetric and acoustic backscatter sonar surveys were conducted along the energetic emergent inner shelf of northern Monterey Bay, CA, USA, in the fall of 2005 and the spring of 2006 to determine the impact of winter storm waves, beach erosion, and river floods on biologically-important siliclastic bedrock reef habitats. The surveys extended from water depths of 4m to 22m and covered an area of 3.14km2, 45.8% of which was bedrock, gravel, and coarse-grained sand and 54.2% was fine-grained sand. Our analyses of the bathymetric and acoustic backscatter data demonstrates that during the 6months between surveys, 11.4% of the study area was buried by fine-grained sand while erosion resulted in the exposure of bedrock or coarse-grained sand over 26.5% of the study area. The probability of burial decreased with increasing water depth and rugosity; the probability of exhumation increased with increasing wave-induced near-bed shear stress, seabed slope and rugosity. Much of the detected change was at the boundary between bedrock and unconsolidated sediment due to sedimentation and erosion burying or exhuming bedrock, respectively. In a number of cases, however, the change in seabed character was apparently due to changes in sediment grain size when scour exposed what appeared to be an underlying coarser-grained lag or the burial of coarser-grained sand and gravel by fine-grained sand. These findings suggest that, in some places, (a) burial and exhumation of nearshore bedrock reefs along rocky, energetic inner shelves occurs over seasonal timescales and appears related to intrinsic factors such as seabed morphology and extrinsic factors such as wave forces, and (b) single acoustic surveys typically employed for geologic characterization and/or habitat mapping may not adequately characterize the geomorphologic and sedimentologic nature of these types of environments that typify most of the Pacific Ocean and up to 50% of the world''s coastlines. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study is the second of two companion papers to examine the seismic collapse safety of reinforced concrete frame buildings, and examines nonductile moment frames that are representative of those built before the mid-1970s in California. The probabilistic assessment relies on nonlinear dynamic simulation of structural response to calculate the collapse risk, accounting for uncertainties in ground-motion characteristics and structural modeling. The evaluation considers a set of archetypical nonductile RC frame structures of varying height that are designed according to the seismic provisions of the 1967 Uniform Building Code. The results indicate that nonductile RC frame structures have a mean annual frequency of collapse ranging from 5 to 14×10-3 at a typical high-seismic California site, which is approximately 40 times higher than corresponding results for modern code-conforming special RC moment frames. These metrics demonstrate the effectiveness of ductile detailing and capacity design requirements, which have been introduced over the past 30 years to improve the safety of RC buildings. Data on comparative safety between nonductile and ductile frames may also inform the development of policies for appraising and mitigating seismic collapse risk of existing RC frame buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ocean surface waves are the dominant temporally and spatially variable process influencing sea floor sediment resuspension along most continental shelves. Wave-induced sediment mobility on the continental shelf and upper continental slope off central California for different phases of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events was modeled using monthly statistics derived from more than 14 years of concurrent hourly oceanographic and meteorologic data as boundary input for the Delft SWAN wave model, gridded sea floor grain-size data from the usSEABED database, and regional bathymetry. Differences as small as 0.5m in wave height, 1s in wave period, and 10° in wave direction, in conjunction with the spatially heterogeneous unconsolidated sea-floor sedimentary cover, result in significant changes in the predicted mobility of continental shelf surficial sediment in the study area. El Niño events result in more frequent mobilization on the inner shelf in the summer and winter than during La Niña events and on the outer shelf and upper slope in the winter months, while La Niña events result in more frequent mobilization on the mid-shelf during spring and summer months than during El Niño events. The timing and patterns of seabed mobility are addressed in context of geologic and biologic processes. By understanding the spatial and temporal variability in the disturbance of the sea floor, scientists can better interpret sedimentary patterns and ecosystem structure, while providing managers and planners an understanding of natural impacts when considering the permitting of offshore activities that disturb the sea floor such as trawling, dredging, and the emplacement of sea-floor engineering structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article characterizes how Marbled Murrelets adjust their foraging effort in response to changes in reproductive demands in an upwelling system in Central California. It states that murrelets spent more time diving during upwelling than oceanographic relaxation, increased their foraging ranges as the duration of relaxation grew longer, and reduced their foraging ranges after transitions to upwelling. Furthermore, to meet reproductive demands during nesting, murrelets adopted a combined strategy or cutting down energy expended commuting to foraging sites and increasing aerobic dive rates.

Abstract: In the past two decades, the understanding of the important large-scale phenomena (El Niño, upwelling, California current, etc) that drive physical, chemical, and biological processes along the US West Coast has greatly improved. However, the ability to predict the influence of annual and inter-annual events on a regional scale still remains limited. High-resolution hourly data from 6 National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) buoys deployed since the early 1980''s off Central California were analyzed to improve our understanding of spatial and temporal variability of oceanographic and meteorologic forcing along the coastline. Seasonal to inter-annual trends in wave height, wave period, sea level barometric pressure, sea-surface temperature, and wind direction were identified, as were significant departures in these trends during El Niño and La Niña periods. The results suggest there are increasing wave heights and wave periods, decreasing sea level barometric pressures and variability in sea-surface temperatures, and increasingly variable winds off Central California between 1980 and 2002. The impact of these climatic trends on coastal physical, geological and biologic processes will also be addressed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

OBJECTIVES: To analyze baseline data from the Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory (GEM) study, in which information was collected on the use of all dietary supplements. DESIGN: Cross-sectional regression analysis. SETTING: GEM study sites in California, Maryland, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. PARTICIPANTS: The GEM study enrolled 3,072 ambulatory individuals aged 75 and older between September 2000 and June 2002. MEASUREMENTS: Self-reported use of dietary supplements and use identified through bottles brought to the clinic. RESULTS: Respectively, 59.4%, 66.6%, and 27.4% of the GEM study cohort used a multivitamin, at least one individual vitamin or mineral supplement, and some type of nonvitamin/nonmineral dietary supplement (NVNMDS). In logistic regression models, multivitamin use was associated with female sex, a higher income, a higher modified Mini-Mental State Examination score, difficulty with mobility, and asthma history; use of any other vitamin or mineral was associated with female sex, white race, nonsmoking, more years of schooling, difficulty walking, a history of osteoporosis, and reading health and senior magazines; and NVNMDS use was associated with residing in California, having difficulties with muscle strength, and reading health and senior magazines. CONCLUSION: There were substantial differences between individuals who used vitamins and minerals and those who used NVNMDS. These data require that trial investigators pay close attention to participant use of off-protocol dietary supplements. In addition, these findings may help identify elderly individuals likely to combine NVNMDS and prescription drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the influence of El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events on the evolution of central California's shoreline. Erosion and storm damage along central California's coastline during 1982-1983 and 1997-1998; Use of an ENSO intensity index based on oceanographic and meteorologic data; Correlation of the index with fluctuations in the time series of cyclone activity.

This paper reports on an AIDS education campaign at a California college campus. A pretest-posttest design was used to determine whether the AIDS-related attitudes of students, faculty, and staff were affected by an AIDS Awareness Week. The results showed that the awareness week was successful in exposing the campus community to AIDS information. It was only marginally effective in changing AIDS-related attitudes because pretest attitudes were already at desirable levels, only a fraction of the campus community attended the highly motivating events of the campaign, and faculty did not actively support the goals of the campaign. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Sediment transport past rocky headlands has received less attention compared to transport along beaches. Here we explore, in a field-based study, possible pathways for sediment movement adjacent to Point Dume, a headland in Santa Monica Bay, California. This prominent shoreline feature is a nearly symmetrical, triangular-shaped promontory interior to the Santa Monica Littoral Cell. We collected current, wave, and turbidity data for 74 days during which several wave events occurred, including one associated with a remote hurricane and another generated by the first winter storm of 2014. We also acquired sediment samples to quantify seabed grain-size distributions. Near-bottom currents towards the headland dominated on both of its sides and wave-driven longshore currents in the surf zone were faster on the exposed side. Bed shear stresses were generated mostly by waves with minor contributions from currents, but both wave-driven and other currents contributed to sediment flux. On the wave-exposed west side of the headland, suspended sediment concentrations correlated with bed stress suggesting local resuspension whereas turbidity levels on the sheltered east side of the headland are more easily explained by advective delivery. Most of the suspended sediment appears to be exported offshore due to flow separation at the apex of the headland but may not move far given that sediment fluxes at moorings offshore of the apex were small. Further, wave-driven sediment flux in the surf zone is unlikely to pass the headland due to the discontinuity in wave forcing that causes longshore transport in different directions on each side of the headland. It is thus unlikely that sand is transported past the headland (specifically in a westerly direction), although some transport of finer fractions may occur offshore in deep water. These findings of minimal sediment flux past Point Dume are consistent with its role as a littoral cell boundary, although more complex multi-stage processes and unusual events may account for some transport at times. Highlights • Currents, waves, and sediment transport were measured around a prominent headland. • Currents over 74 days were apex-ward on each side and reversing at the point. • Sand and mud transport are likely decoupled with sand ejected offshore. • Two flow separation regimes are proposed from current patterns around the point. • The headland is a likely littoral cell boundary for some sediment fractions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the Modeling, Virtual Environments, and Simulation (MOVES) Academic Group at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. Focus areas of MOVES Academic Group include research in combat modeling, three-dimensional visual simulation and networked virtual environments, among others. The contributions of Dr. Michael Zyda to the MOVES Academic Group are highlighted. Among the group's research work, in collaboration with the NPSNET Research Group, include computer-generated characters that accurately illustrate the actions and response of individual participants in a simulation and technologies for immersion.

DNA polymorphic markers and self-defined ethnicity groupings are used to group individuals with shared ancient geographic ancestry. Here we studied whether ancestral relationships between individuals could be identified from metabolic screening data reported by the California newborn screening (NBS) program. NBS data includes 41 blood metabolites measured by tandem mass spectrometry from singleton babies in 17 parent-reported ethnicity groupings. Ethnicity-associated differences identified for 71% of NBS metabolites (29 of 41, Cohen's d > 0.5) showed larger differences in blood levels of acylcarnitines than of amino acids (P < 1e-4). A metabolic distance measure, developed to compare ethnic groupings based on metabolic differences, showed low positive correlation with genetic and ancient geographic distances between the groups' ancestral world populations. Several outlier group pairs were identified with larger genetic and smaller metabolic distances (Black versus White) or with smaller genetic and larger metabolic distances (Chinese versus Japanese) indicating the influence of genetic and of environmental factors on metabolism. Using machine learning, comparison of metabolic profiles between all pairs of ethnic groupings distinguished individuals with larger genetic distance (Black versus Chinese, AUC = 0.96), while genetically more similar individuals could not be separated metabolically (Hispanic versus Native American, AUC = 0.51). Additionally, we identified metabolites informative for inferring metabolic ancestry in individuals from genetically similar populations, which included biomarkers for inborn metabolic disorders (C10:1, C12:1, C3, C5OH, Leucine-Isoleucine). This work sheds new light on metabolic differences in healthy newborns in diverse populations, which could have implications for improving genetic disease screening. • Ancestral relationships are identified using newborn metabolic screening data. • Machine learning of metabolic screening data could infer metabolic ancestry. • Knowledge of ethnic variability in metabolic screening markers informs NBS. • Ethnic diversity should be considered when establishing NBS metabolite cutoffs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]